Gopher Battalion Change of Command Ceremony
Grand Prairie High School’s JROTC Gopher Battalion held its 12th annual Change of Command and Pass in Review ceremony Thursday at The Gopher-Warrior Bowl.
CW4 (Ret) "Chief" Tom Knedler, JROTC leader, said the ceremony is a long standing Army tradition when a command changes and the unit’s colors are passed to the new commander.
The ceremony that involved the entire Gopher Battalion saw outgoing Commander Cadet Colonel Taylor Smith turn over her command of the unit to the newly appointed commander, Cadet Lt. Colonel Alyssa Arredonodo.
Smith, who is already a member of the Army Reserves, graduates this spring then leaves for her appointment at West Point, the Army service academy, where she plans to eventually get at law degree and make a career in the Army.
For the Gopher Battalion, that has the remarkable, long-standing record of every Senior member graduating, Smith is the unit’s first appointment to the service academy.
New Battalion Commander Arredondo who will be a Senior next school year, said the reason she joined JROTC was because she wanted to do something different than the traditional high school activities.
Arredondo said she does not plan to pursue a career in the military after graduation next year, but she added, what she gained from JROTC was a leadership ability, confidence, and a never-give-up attitude. She feels these will help her as she studies for a career in architecture and interior design.
“Alyssa, growing up was not quite a leader,” said proud mother Ida Arredondo. “The ROTC has taught her to be a good leader.”
Other Gopher Battalion commanders selected include:
Keyla Damian – Executive Officer
Johnathan Elliott – Command Sergeant Major
